Sberbank to Accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether as Loan Collateral in Russia
Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, plans to accept Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and Tether (USDT) as collateral for loans. Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov confirmed the move during an interview with TASS on August 27, 2026. The initiative aligns with Russia’s new digital currency law that took effect on September 1, which permits crypto to be used as security but not in direct payments. The Central Bank of Russia has approved only three cryptocurrencies—Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether—for public circulation based on criteria such as market size and historical data. While corporate borrowers can use these assets freely, individual investors are limited by a 300,000 ruble annual cap per intermediary. Sberbank previously conducted a pilot program for crypto-backed lending in December 2025. However, the bank has not yet disclosed key details such as loan-to-value ratios or interest rates, pending final regulatory approvals.
Topics: banking regulations collateral cryptocurrency Russia